May states rotation case with fine outing
CINCINNATI -- After a strong showing against the Reds on Wednesday, Trevor May isn't making the Twins' decision on their rotation any easier, with Ervin Santana set to return from his 80-game suspension on Sunday in Kansas City.
May, coming off his worst outing of the season, bounced back to give up just two runs, one earned, on six hits and three walks over 6 1/3 innings in a 2-1 loss to the Reds.
The Twins could go with a six-man rotation through the All-Star break to push back their decision. Twins manager Paul Molitor said an announcement could come as soon as Friday, but he wouldn't tip his hand. He did say he was impressed by May's outing, especially how he escaped from a bases-loaded jam in the second inning, notching back-to-back strikeouts before getting Billy Hamilton to fly to center.
Video: MIN@CIN: May gets flyout to escape bases-loaded jam
"What I liked was that at the end of the day the numbers were good," Molitor said. "The bases-loaded jam, he gave up three hits there, but he was able to make some good pitches to keep the zero there. I think the rest of the time was pretty solid."
May recorded just one out in his previous start on Friday against the Brewers, but he was much better at providing damage control on Wednesday. Even after his shaky outing in Milwaukee, May still has a 3.22 ERA over his past six outings, so the rookie has been an asset to the rotation after a slow start to the year.
May said he's trying his best not to think about what's next, as he knows the decision isn't up to him.
"It's out of my hands," May said. "I'm trying to take it one day at a time, get better every day and be ready whenever they need me. Where that is or wherever that is, I'll be ready to go."
May's outing was hampered by an errant throw from catcher Chris Herrmann in the fifth inning. With two on and one out, the Reds sent both runners on a 3-2 borderline strike that was ruled a ball. Herrmann threw to third despite the fact Hamilton was automatically safe, and the ball sailed into left field. That allowed Hamilton to come home with what turned out to be the winning run, giving May his fourth loss over his past five starts.
"Trevor pitched a heck of a game, and it's unfortunate in a situation like that," Herrmann said. "I have to make a better throw, and it kind of cost us the game."